CIIT Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on International Trade met at 11:04 a.m. this day, in Room 701, La Promenade Building, the Chair, Leon Benoit, presiding.

The witnesses made statements and answered questions.

At 12:31 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:35 p.m., the sitting resumed.

At 12:40 p.m., the Committee proceeded to sit in camera.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That the Committee proceed to consider its future business.

The Chair presented the Third Report of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure.

It was agreed, — That the Minister of International Trade and his Departemental officials be invited to appear before the Committee at the earliest opportunity on the subject matter of Main Estimates 2007-2008.

It was agreed, — That immediately upon return from the parliamentary recess, the Committee consider a draft report on Canada’s Trade Policy.

It was agreed, — That following the Easter recess, four meetings be scheduled in the month of April to conduct hearings on Canada-U.S. trade and investment issues, including the Security and Prosperity Partnership, and that the meetings be allocated as follows:

• April 17th, 19th and 24th – Hearings on Canada-U.S. business issues, including the Security and Prosperity Partnership.

• April 26th – Consideration of a draft report on the above.

It was agreed, — That the Committee seek permission to travel to the United States, Washington D.C. in April in the context of the Study of Canada-US Trade and Investment issues including the security and prosperity partnership.

It was agreed, — That the Committee conduct a study on the Machinery of Government; namely government departments and agencies that have a stake in international trade and investment policy, promotion and control.

It was agreed, — That the objective of the study be to evaluate how the machinery of government delivers trade- and investment-related services; namely

• Responsibilities of departments and agencies;

• Coordination of activities: Redundancy and organization;

• Allocation resources: Sources or targeted increases necessary; and

• Delivery by the Federal Government of a unified and coherent international business policy message.

It was agreed, — That the Committee consider examining the structure of trade and investment portfolios in selected industrialized countries considered to have successful trade policy models and that suggested countries could include the United States and Australia.

It was agreed, — That the Committee's report include recommendations, if applicable, on how the machinery of government be restructured to operate more logically, efficiently and effectively.

It was agreed, — That the Committee seek permission to travel to Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Indonesia and Singapore), Brussels and the Gulf States in the month of May and that the Committee consider dividing itself into two components.

It was agreed, — That the Committee host a luncheon for the Honourable Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle, President of the Senate, and the Honourable Antonio Leal Labrin, President of the Chamber of Deputies, Republic of Chile during their visit to Ottawa March 26-30, 2007.

At 1:02 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.